MEET SHAIFUL!

Paisley Prints ... The Storied Icons of Etro

From Asia to Europe,
paisley is no stranger to the textile landscape, gracing embroideries and
prints across the oceans and seas.

In the days when Mesopotamia civilisation flourished,
the droplet-shaped paisleys were often seen as the symbol of the seed to the ‘tree
of life’.

In Kashmir, back in
the time when the Mughal kings reigned supreme, shawls drenched in paisley
patterns were offered as gifts to the Great Mogul, eventually passed down from
one generation to another.

Even in the Southeast Asia region, paisley prints
are ubiquitously featured on batik cloths, richly saturated in bold colours –
probably brought to this region by the ancient Indian seafarers and traders.

The historic
association of paisley ― a print of Asian heritage named after a Scottish town ―
with the house of Etro came about in 1968, when Gerolamo “Gimmo” Etro, an
Economics graduate who is also an avid world traveller, established his own prêt-a-porter
and haute couture textiles.

To maintain the traditional quality of patterns, Etro gave contemporary twist to the classic patterns through the liberal use of daring colours and innovative combinations.

In 1980s, Etro
applied its signature Paisley print on coated jacquard fabrics and used the
fabric to produce fashion statement-making handbags, suitcases and overnight
bags.

It was in the 1990s the fashion
world began to fall in love with the house’s emblematic paisley prints when
Etro introduced its first ready-to-wear collection at the Milan Fashion Week in
1996.

To date, Etro owns a collection of 150 cashmere shawls laden with paisley
prints dating from 1810 to 1880 and these threads have inspired the birth of
Etro paisley that is ubiquitous in every collection.

While today’s
technology advancement is made to ease printing process, the initial stage of
the print production remains traditional yet painstaking.

Moreover, it is the scrupulous
artistic process that gives the paisley an unparalleled sentimental value ― the
reason why it is worth to part with substantial amount of money to own either a
paisley-printed cashmere scarf, a paisley-printed dress from its ready-to-wear
collection, or a coated jacquard handbag doused in paisley print from Etro.

It all started with
the sketch. An artist sketches the design entirely by hand with a series of
pencil traces. The sketch is then filled with tempera applied using sable
brushes.

Composition techniques, colour scheme and style play important roles
during the process. The expert use of printing techniques is combined with a research
for materials and for extraordinary quality as well as the use of latest
techniques to supply unique creations.

Mr. Serge Maury, an
expert cashmere designer who has been working with Etro for year is the creator
and the man behind the exclusive Paisley design. In the first phase of the
creation of the scarves, Monsieur Maury utilised the multifaceted photoengraving
process that is required to create the printing frames.

The application of the multifaceted
photoengraving process allows the sketch to be printed on the fabric. While it
is unsure how long does it take to create one paisley print, rest assured, a
lot of skills and not to forget, patience, are required to create something
that is meant to last for generations.

Once the fabric is
printed, the final product is created. Made from fine cashmere and
characterised by noble and natural fibres, the scarves are produced in different
colours and with innovative variations thus emphasizing Paisley’s décor
uniqueness.

Apart from scarves, the paisley print can be also seen on Etro home furnishing line with products include pillows and ceramic pots, available at selected Etro boutiques and multi-brand home furnishing boutiques worldwide.

Thus, drop by your
nearest Etro boutique today and be mesmerised by the beauty of its emblematic
paisley prints, especially on its current spring/summer ready-to-wear
collection and the iconic scarves.

EDITOR'S LOVE LETTER

One month from now, Christmas will be upon us, followed by New Year. Again, shopping malls and stores are literally screaming, “’Tis the season to go shopping!”

If in the previous years, our choices were limited to four collections – spring/summer, pre-fall, fall/winter and cruise - per year, the recent years have seen quite a surprising change. Spring has been separated from summer into a distinctive collection and same goes to winter – on its own. Overall, there are FIVE collections in a year! Does this mean yay or nay?

To the retailers, it is a certain 'yay' because it will lead to greater profit generation. To fashionistas who are always hungry for new clothes, it also means a huge ‘yay’ as they can keep on hunting for what’s new every day of the week. But what about fashionistas who are into fashion but lag behind when it comes to the finance part? A really tough situation, I suppose.

In this kind of situation, most fashionistas are torn between ready-to-wear and the accessories. To the accessories camp, accessories are worth investing in as they are not prone to seasons.

Take Birkin for instance. Regardless of what year or season, a black alligator hide 50cm Birkin in glossy finish is always relevant and goes well with anything, even in the next thousand years to come. So is Céline Luggage bag by Phoebe Philo that not only practical but also stands the test of time. Safe-keep them well and they can be the best heirlooms any girl could ask for.

While ready-to-wear is never a man’s problem, since menswear silhouettes and looks remain much the same season after season, the problem is more obvious with women.

Being season prone, many smart shoppers opt to stick with iconic or permanent pieces. Not only they are forever relevant but most importantly, they often last for a lifetime! Yet, there is a downside to it, if you were cash-strapped: They cost more than seasonal pieces. Furthermore, do not expect them to be seen on the sale rack once the season ends.

Speaking of permanent pieces, one of my favourite permanent or iconic looks that can be worn from day to night is the wrap dress by Diane von Furstenberg. Simple yet sexy, practical yet chic, the wrap dress has stood the test of time since it was first produced in the 1970s.

Furthermore, its appeal also lies in one fact every chic woman embrace: A wrap dress does not bring out the je ne sais quoi of a French woman or the cosmopolitan elegance of a New Yorker in you. Instead, it enhances your femininity, regardless of your age, your race, or your social background. Just as true as its creator once said, “Feel like a woman, wear a dress.”

So, no matter what your choice is, always remember that comfort is the main key to happiness and satisfaction. After all, having to walk and pose in pain for that bandage dress can be a waste of time, dear!

From me and Fashion Heaven Rants, wishing you a very chic Merry Christmas ahead!

Beaucoup d’Amour

Shaiful

WHO WEAR WHAT?

Sharon Stone seen with Mademoiselle Longchamp bag at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)